After nine long years, the moment fast-food fans have been begging for is finally here: McDonald’s Snack Wraps are officially returning to U.S. menus this summer! Since their discontinuation in 2016, a devoted following has kept the dream alive through social media pleas and petitions. Now, the iconic, fan-favorite item is making its triumphant comeback, sending waves of excitement through the fast-food world. Here’s everything you need to know about this highly anticipated return, including when you can exactly get your hands on a Snack Wrap.
McDonald’s Snack Wraps Hit Menus This July
The countdown is on! On Tuesday, McDonald’s confirmed to USA TODAY that Snack Wraps are making their permanent return to restaurants across the country starting Thursday, July 10th.
So, what can you expect from this returning legend? Each Snack Wrap now features McDonald’s new McCrispy Strips—juicy, all-white meat chicken—along with shredded lettuce and cheese, all wrapped up in a soft flour tortilla. It’s simple, satisfying, and seriously snackable.
And because options are fun, you’ll be able to grab your Snack Wrap in two awesome flavors:
- Spicy: This one’s for you, heat seekers! It’s bold, zesty, and brings that unapologetically fiery habanero kick you know and love from the Spicy McCrispy.
- Ranch: If you’re into smooth and savory, the Ranch Snack Wrap is your jam. It’s got that irresistible burst of cool ranch goodness, with just the right hints of garlic and onion.
You can snag a Snack Wrap a la carte if you just want a quick bite, or go all in with a combo meal that includes two Snack Wraps, a medium order of fries, and your drink of choice.
McDonald’s Rolls Out Exclusive Website to Celebrate the Snack Wrap’s Comeback
To mark Snack Wrap’s much-awaited return, McDonald’s has launched snackwrapfiles.com, a site they’re calling “fans’ VIP entry to all things Snack Wrap.”
As the homepage puts it, “This is the content hub for the most anticipated menu item of the decade. Explore all the lore, like fan-inspired posts or merch concepts. And keep checking back because new files are added weekly.”
A Brief History of McDonald’s Snack Wraps
First introduced in 2006 for $1.29, McDonald’s Snack Wraps quickly became a popular option for on-the-go customers. The original version featured tender chicken breast, cheddar jack cheese, lettuce, and ranch sauce wrapped in a soft tortilla. At the time, Ralph Alvarez, then president of McDonald’s North America, explained that the wrap was designed to “accommodate the lifestyles of our customers who are always on the go and want a quality product made with premium ingredients.”
Over time, the wrap evolved, but by 2013, the beef variations were discontinued. The original Snack Wrap was removed from most menus in 2016, although a few locations continued offering it until 2020 when it was phased out as part of a broader menu simplification effort.
The decision to discontinue the Snack Wrap stemmed from a combination of factors. According to Business Insider, the wraps didn’t sell as well as expected, and the preparation process was time-consuming. Franchisees voiced concerns over the lengthy steps involved in steaming the tortillas, chopping the chicken, and assembling the wraps, which were available in nine different varieties. This complexity led to longer service times, violating McDonald’s corporate policies on customer wait times, and created issues with consistency. One manager even described it as a “nightmare” in a Bloomberg interview.
The Snack Wrap has remained absent from the menu, in part, due to the company’s lack of a chicken tender offering, which was key to making the wraps.
Since its removal from most U.S. menus in 2016, McDonald’s Snack Wrap has sparked an enduring and passionate campaign by fans eager to see its return. Over the years, numerous petitions have been launched, one of which garnered over 18,800 signatures. Additionally, a social media movement took shape, with the official Slim Jim account even joining in, asking McDonald’s about the item’s comeback. This continued fan fervor has played a key role in bringing the Snack Wrap back into the spotlight.
While the U.S. eagerly awaits the return of the Snack Wrap, McDonald’s has already brought the popular item back in other parts of the world. In June 2023, McDonald’s Canada introduced a revamped McWrap and Chicken Snack Wrap menu, featuring exciting new flavors such as Zesty Lime, Sweet Chili, Chicken & Bacon, Spicy Buffalo Chicken, and Ranch Chicken. These wraps are also available in the United Kingdom, further fueling the anticipation for their reintroduction to U.S. menus.
Sources: USA TODAY, Business Insider